6 Best Enamel Paints

Enamel paint is used for painting parts of vehicles, boats and even planes, which are exposed to weather conditions. It is also used on a smaller scale such as for outdoor furniture made from metal, posts, and signs. Enamel paint is ideal for wood and metal surfaces, and this makes it popular with many.

Enamel is a type of paint whereas paint includes a wide range of different types of paints. Enamels are usually used for wood and metal surfaces, on contrary paint can be used at any material. Enamel provides the glossy finish on the other hand, not every paint provides the glossy finish when compared to enamel.

Using enamel paint on wood allows the surface to last longer, and is ideal for high-traffic areas like stairways, wooden patios and porches. It also works well on furniture, and creates an easy-to-clean surface for tables and chairs.

Enamel paints are best suited for outdoor places that are exposed to adverse weather conditions and temperature fluctuations. They are also useful indoors in areas exposed to much wear. Due to its dense and high gloss finish, surfaces painted with enamel paints are easy to clean and resistant to stains and damage.

Enamel can last longer and it’s more resistant to cracks and does not fade, unlike acrylic paint. Enamel is not the best choice for outdoors because it’s less flexible than the acrylic and becomes harder which can lead to cracking. If you want to paint something outdoors it’s best if you use acrylic paint.

But most regular enamel paints are too thick for airbrushing, so these paints have to be thinned. If you need to thin down your enamel paints then I would recommend using Mineral Spirits or special enamel thinner.

While both types of paint can be quite durable under appropriate conditions, enamel paint is overall the more durable of the two. Designed to dry harder than latex paints, which can still be somewhat flexible when dry, enamel paint is more suitable for withstanding the fluctuating climates and temperatures outdoors.

Enamel Paint is waterproof if it is oil-based or lacquer-based but it will only stick to some surfaces like uncoated wood without preparation. Most Enamel Paints are waterproof right out of the box and don´t require any topcoat or sealing.

The enamel is basically an additive added to standard paint blends to give it its hard enamel characteristics. A clear coat is not always required after every paint job. Depending on the application and the type of enamel paint used, it may or may not require a clear coat.

High gloss enamel paint is a heavier paint that can break down poor quality paint rollers, so make sure you select a roller that is durable and made to handle enamel paint. Also, consider the surface you want to paint.